Very simple game idea

[Stormboy]

Hi, I want to my first simple GUI game using SDL or SFML. But I want it to be really simple. I don't want to make a hard one like Mario implementations or something. Can you people suggest me ideas?

Thanks.

[Disch]

Vertical shooters are a good place to start, IMO. They're very basic but still introduce you to fundamental concepts and get you familiar with the flow of a game.

A Tetris clone is a bit more difficult/ambitious, but also is worth consideration.

[Computergeek01]

Conway's game of life was pretty fun for me in SFML. It took about a day to make so it's not a huge investment of your time and it is REALLY cool to watch once you get it done correctly.

It doesn't require any input from the user but you can add the ability to activate\deactivate cells like I did.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway%27s_Game_of_Life

[Stormboy]

Okay thanks I'll try making it :).

[Computergeek01]

If you decide to go with the vertical shooter then don't get too hung up on graphics like I always seem to do. Check out this site for some stand ins: http://opengameart.org/

[Stormboy]

@ Computergeek01: Yes I'm starting the V Shooter in SFML. Thanks for the site, I really appreciate it.

[PK Willow]

Hello, even though I'm not OP thanks to everyone for their replies. I have been curious about making a game, as that is why I got into programming. ;) I have a question. At what point should I work towards making a simple game? Right now I'm using C++ Primer and am up to chapter 2, on const, pointers, and the auto type. Basically, what are the most important programming concepts, identifiers etc. I should know before trying to make a game?

[Zhuge]

You should probably learn all the "basics", such as the things taught in the tutorial on this site, along with at least an idea of what you can do with the standard library. Then just try to make a game, and learn what you need to as you find out what you are missing.

[Stormboy]

Zhuge is right. I would also like to add that OOP is helpful too.